PMID 37867744

Research
All papers

Is moderate-intensity interval training more tolerable than high-intensity interval training in adults with obesity?

Maaloul R, Ben Dhia I, Marzougui H, Turki M, Kacem FH, Makhlouf R, Amar MB, Kallel C, Driss T, Elleuch MH, Ayadi F, Ghroubi S, Hammouda O

Question

Is an acute moderate-intensity interval cycling session more tolerable and less physiologically disruptive than a high-intensity interval cycling session in sedentary adults with obesity?

Summary

In 22 sedentary adults with obesity, a single cycling HIIT session caused larger immediate increases in white blood cells, neutrophils, lactate, pain, and perceived exertion than a duration- and load-matched moderate-intensity interval session. The authors interpreted the moderate-intensity interval protocol as more tolerable and potentially useful before progressing sedentary adults with obesity to HIIT.

Methodology

  • Sedentary adults with obesity, without diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, infections, or limiting musculoskeletal impairment
  • 22 participants.
  • cycle.
  • Work intervals: 60 seconds.
  • Recovery: 120 seconds.
  • Intensity: 90% peak power output during work intervals.
  • About 24 minutes.
  • Single session.
  • Two acute interval exercise sessions separated by a 7-day washout.
  • Randomized counterbalanced crossover acute exercise study
  • Immune markers, Muscle damage and lactate, and Tolerability were tracked.

Outcomes

White blood cells

White blood cells increased only after HIIT and differed between protocols.

Effect: +14.43%; P value/detail: <0.001; Favours: comparator

Safety concern

Neutrophils

Neutrophils increased only after HIIT and differed between protocols.

Effect: +17.58%; P value/detail: <0.001; Favours: comparator

Safety concern

CRP

CRP increased significantly only after HIIT, with a non-significant between-protocol trend.

Effect: +10.78%; P value/detail: <0.001 within HIIT; 0.07 between protocols; Favours: comparator

Improved

Lactate

Blood lactate increased after both protocols and increased more after HIIT.

Effect: +280.53% HIIT; +208.93% MIIT; P value/detail: 0.04 between protocols; Favours: comparator

Improved

Pain

Pain ratings were higher during HIIT than MIIT at mid-session and the last bout.

Effect: T2 5.73 vs 3.73; T3 6.09 vs 4.18; P value/detail: <0.001; Favours: comparator

Safety concern

RPE

Perceived exertion was higher during and after HIIT than MIIT.

Effect: Higher at T1, T2, T3, and T4; P value/detail: <0.01 to <0.001; Favours: comparator

Unclear

Insights

  • For sedentary adults with obesity, moderate-intensity intervals may be a more tolerable starting point than HIIT.
  • Matched-duration interval sessions can differ substantially in pain, exertion, lactate, and immune-cell responses.

Limitations

  • Acute single-session design.
  • Small sample.
  • Markers were measured only before and immediately after exercise.
  • Menstrual cycle phase was not controlled beyond avoiding menses.
  • No long-term adherence or adaptation outcomes.

Safety

  • No specific adverse-event count was reported.
  • HIIT caused greater immediate pain and perceived exertion than moderate-intensity intervals.